Lexi Sun earned her first career Big Ten Player of the Week honor after leading the Huskers (9-1) to a pair of sweeps at Illinois over the weekend.
The senior outside hitter averaged 5.17 kills per set on .315 hitting and chipped in nine digs, five blocks and an ace in six sets against the Illini. She tied her season high with 17 kills on .342 hitting, six digs, three blocks and one ace on Friday then followed that up with 14 kills on .286 hitting, three digs and two blocks on Saturday.
Sun is shining today in Lincoln. ☀️@lexiisun has been named #B1G Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/UkshXZIX5k
— Husker Volleyball (@Huskervball) March 8, 2021
The Big Ten also named Purdue outside hitter Grace Cleveland Defensive Player of the Week, Purdue middle blocker Taylor Trammell Freshman of the Week and Ohio State’s Mac Podraza Setter of the Week. The Huskers will face the unbeaten Buckeyes twice this weekend at the Devaney Center.
Nebraska held steady at No. 4 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll as well. Wisconsin remained atop the rankings with 54 first-place votes despite missing the last two weekends because of a COVID-19-related pause on team activities. The Badgers returned to practice on Monday.
Texas (five first-place votes) and Kentucky (one) rounded out the top three.
Minnesota (9-1) is still at No. 5. Purdue (9-5) moved up one spot to No. 10 while Penn State (5-5) dropped two spots to No. 12 after the teams split their season series. Ohio State (12-0) shot up eight spots to No. 11 after sweeping Penn State mid-week and having its weekend series against Minnesota postponed.
Michigan received six points in the poll (good for 30th) despite only playing five matches so far this season. The Wolverines returned to action on Monday as well.